Foundation garment



Sheet Filed May 15, 1966 FIG.'1

B. MURDOCK FOUNDATION GARMENT April 15, 1969 Z of 2 Sheet Filed May 13, 1966 FIG. 5

FIG.

United States Patent 3,438,376 FOUNDATION GARMENT Benjamin Murdock, New York, N.Y., assignor to Fortuna Foundations, Inc., a corporation of New York Filed May 13, 1966, Ser. No. 549,903 Int. Cl. A41c 1/02 U.S. Cl. 128--528 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE "Foundation garment comprising a horizontally stretchable elastic outer shell with a diamond shaped panel having vertical stretch secured in the front portion thereof to provide abdominal restriction and two extra pieces of diamond shaped material having horizontal stretch sewn from the center front to the hipline without being restricted by the stitching of the first mentioned panel to provide a three layer sandwich of vertical stretch material between two horizontal stretch layers.

The present invention pertains, generally, to foundation garments, and more particularly, to foundation garments such as girdles, panty-girdles, and the like, that are constructed and arranged to encircle the torso and provide multiple support, control and restriction particularly with respect to that area known as the abdominal region.

*It is considered readily apparent that foundation garments, such as girdles, panty-girdles, and the like are constructed and arranged to introduce figure controlling pressures with a view towards slimming the torso of a wearer, and more particularly, such figure controlling pressures as will support, control and restrict those portions of the torso known as the abdomen, and the like.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a foundation garment, such as a girdle, panty-girdle, and the like, that is constructed and arranged to introduce figure controlling pressures with a View towards slimming the torso of a wearer, and more particularly, to introduce such figure controlling pressures as will support, control and restrict those portions of the torso known as the abdomen, or the like.

Another primary object of this invention is to provide a foundation garment, such as a girdle, panty-girdle, and the like, that is constructed and arranged to introduce maximum figure control of those portions of the torso of a wearer known as the abdomen, or the like, enabling the torso to be slenderized, and further enabling the torso to present superior aesthetic characteristics.

Yet another primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, is to provide a foundation garment, such as a girdle, panty-girdle, and the like, that is constructed and arranged to introduce figure controlling pressures at selected localized regions, such as that portion of the torso known as the abdomen, enabling the flaccid tissue at that portion of the torso to be confined and controlled, and to preclude unsightly bulges.

A further primary object of this invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, is to provide a foundation garment, such as a girdle, panty-girdle, and the like, that is constructed and arranged to substantially if not completely eliminate interference with normal bodily movement, that is further constructed and arranged to be comfortable to the wearer during use, and is still further constructed and arranged to introduce aesthetic characteristics while yet being economical of fabrication.

Other objects and important features of the present invention will be apparent from a study of the specification following taken with the drawings, which together show, illustrate, disclose and described a preferred embodiment or modification of the invention and what is now considered to be the best mode of practicing the principles thereof. Other embodiments and modifications may be suggested to those having the benefit of the teachings herein, and such other embodiments and modifications are intended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope and spirit of the sub-joined claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the garment constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the garment shown in FIG. 1 turned inside out;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the garment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the garment shown in FIG. 1 turned insideout;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the garment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the garment shown in FIG. 1 turned inside out;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the garment taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 1.

With reference now to the drawings, there is illustrated therein a foundation garment constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, and generally designated by the reference character 10. At the outset, it will be understood that while the principles of this invention have been herein described, disclosed, shown and illustrated as applied to a panty-girdle type of foundation garment, the principles are equally applicable to an openended girdle, and the like.

The foundation garment or panty-girdle 10 comprises a plurality of shell halves 12, each of which is preferably fabricated of woven elasticfabric having a primary horizontal stretch characteristic. The shell halves 12 are joined together in any suitable manner, as through the medium of stitching, with a non-distensible thread extending along substantially vertically disposed front and rear seams 14 and 16 to define a substantially tubular torso-encircling assembly 18. It will be understood that the torso-encircling assembly 18 may be fabricated of a single or unitary blank of material.

The shell halves 12 may extend downwardly of the torso-encircling assembly 18, in which instance the assembly comprises leg panels 20 preferably formed of woven elastic fabric having a primary verticle stretch characteristic. The leg panels 20 may be connected to the assembly 18 in any suitable manner, as through the medium of stitching having a non-distensible thread extending along seams 22 to define leg encircling or encompassing portions 24. A crotch piece 26, preferably formed of closely Woven non-distensible material is joined to the leg-encompassing portions 24.

A waistband 28 preferably fabricated of distensible material, and leg bands 30 fabricated of a similar material, are joined to the inside of the upper end portion of the torso-encircling assembly 18 and to the inside of the legencompassing portions 24 at the lower end thereof, respectively. Attaching elements or hosiery supporters 32 are secured to the leg-encompassing portions 24 in any suitable manner, as clearly illustrated, for example, in FIG. 4.

The foundation garment 10 comprises, further a generally centrally disposed panel 34 of substantially diamond-shaped configuration. The panel 34 is secured in underlying relationship with respect to the shell halves 12 generally centrally of the front of the garment, to define therewith a restricting assembly. The panel 34 preferably is fabricated of woven distensible material having a primary vertical stretch characteristic to introduce figure controlling pressures that will have a flattening effect relative to the abdominal region of the torso of a wearer. The panel 34 underlies the front seam 1'4 and is joined to the shell halves 12 at the front of the garment in any suitable manner, as through the medium of zig-zag stitching having a non-distensible thread extending along seams 36. The seams 36, in turn, extend along the side edge portions of the panel 34.

The garment 10 still further comprises side panels 38 of substantially diamond-shaped configuration. The side panels are secured in underlying relationship to the panel 34 side or lateral restricting assemblies. The side panels 38 preferably are fabricated of woven distensible material having a primary horizontal stretch characteristic, and extends from a location disposed substantially centrally of the panel 34 outwardly and laterally thereof. The panel 34 and the side panels 38 are disposed in overlapping relationship with respect to one another, to thus define control assemblies 40 of substantially diamond-shaped configuration. It will now be understood that the laterally disposed restricting assemblies comprise the control assemblies 40, and that the latter comprise a plurality of layers of material, namely, three, one of such layers having a vertical stretch characteristic and being disposed between the remaining two layers that each have a horizontal stretch characteristic. The side panels 38 are preferably secured to the shell halves 12 and to the panel 34 only along the outer edges of the side panels 38. This may be accomplished in any suitable manner, as through the medium of zig-zag stitching having a non-distensible thread extending along seams 42. The side panels 38, in addition, extend considerably outwardly of the panel 34. In this manner, the side panels 38 will exert a stress or pull in a direction generally horizontally and forwardly of those portions of the torso of a wearer known as the hips without being restricted by the stitching of the central panel 34.

The foundation garment or panty-girdle 10 further comprises a rear panel 44 which may comprise a plurality of substantially similar panel halves 46 joined to one another in any suitable manner, such as by zig-zag stitching having a non-distensible thread extending along seam 48. The panel 44, which may be defined by a single blank of material, is joined to the shell halves 12 at the rear of the garment 10 in underlying relationship with respect to the rear seam 16, to thus define a restricting assembly disposed generally rearwardly of the garment. The rear panel preferably is fabricated of woven distensible material having a primary vertical stretch characteristic, and is also joined to the shell halves 12 at the rear of the garment along seams 50 that, in turn, extend along the edge portion of the panel halves 46.

Still further, the garment 10 comprises leg restricting assemblies defined by panels 52 that preferably are fabricated of a distensible woven material having a primary vertical stretch characteristic. The panels 52 are joined to each of the shell halves in underlying relationship with respect thereto, and are disposed generally centrally thereof. This may be accomplished in any suitable manner, as by zig-zag stitching having a non-distensible thread extending along seams 54 that, in-turn, are disposed at the outer edge portions of the leg panels 52.

It will now be understood that a foundation garment constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, such as the panty-gir-dle 10, is capable of achieving each and every one of the objects set forth at the outset of this specification. More particularly, the foundation garment or panty-girdle 10 is constructed and arranged to introduce figure controlling pressures that will produce a slimming appearance of the torso of a wearer, and, in addition, will support, control and restrict such portions of the torso known as the abdomen, or the like.

While the invention has been shown, described and disclosed in terms of an embodiment or modification which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the invention should not be deemed to be limited by the precise embodiment or modification herein shown, illustrated, described and disclosed, such other embodiments or modifications intended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope of the claims here appended.

What is claimed is:

1. A foundation garment, such as a girdle, panty-girdle, or the like, comprising, in combination a torso-encircling assembly for enveloping and slimming the torso of a wearer; a generally frontal disposed restricting assembly for introducing figure controlling pressures with respect to a portion of a wearers body, said restricting assembly comprising a generally centrally disposed distensible panel having a generally vertical stretch characteristic secured only to said torso-encircling assembly along edge portions of said restricting assembly; and at least one laterally disposed restricting assembly for introducing figure controlling pressures with respect to portions of the torso of a wearers body disposed adjacent said first mentioned portion, said lateral restricting assembly being disposed in partially overlapping relationship with respect to said frontally disposed restricting assembly, said lateral restricting assembly comprising at least one side panel extending outwardly of the centrally disposed panel toward the hipline and being secured to said frontal restricting assembly and to said torso-encircling assembly only along the edge portions of said lateral restricting assembly, enabling said lateral restricting assembly to coact with said frontal restricting assembly and said torso-encircling assembly without being restrained by the securement of the frontal restricting assembly.

2. A foundation garment as defined in claim 1, wherein said lateral restricting assembly extends from a location substantially centrally of said frontal restricting assembly, and outwardly thereof.

3. A foundation garment as defined in claim 2, wherein said frontal restricting assembly is particularly adapted to be disposed in overlying relationship with respect to that portion of a wearers torso known as the abdomen, and said lateral restricting assembly extends generally outwardly thereof towards that portion of a wearers torso known as the hips.

4. A foundation garment as defined in claim 3, wherein said torso-encircling assembly comprises a plurality of shell panels joined together substantially centrally of said frontally disposed restricting assembly.

5. A foundation garment as defined in claim 3, wherein said restricting assemblies comprise panels fabricated of a woven distensible material.

6. A foundation garment as defined in claim 3, wherein said shell panels are fabricated of a woven distensible material having a primary horizontal stretch characteristic; wherein said frontal restricting assembly is fabricated of a woven distensible material having a primary vertical stretch characteristic; and wherein said lateral restricting assembly is fabricated of a woven distensible material having a primary horizontal stretch characteristic, enabling the provision of at least one control assembly comprising a plurality of layers of material, one of which has a vertical stretch characteristic disposed between a plurality of layers having a horizontal stretch characteristic.

7. A foundation garment as defined in claim 6, wherein there is further provided at least one restricting assembly particularly adapted to cooperate with that portion of a wearers torso known as the legs; said restricting assembly extending substantially vertically along said torso-encircling assembly, and being disposed generally outwardly of said lateral restricting assembly; said leg restricting assembly being fabricated of woven distensible material having primary vertical stretch characteristics.

8. A foundation garment as defined in claim 6, wherein there is further provided a rearwardly disposed restricting assembly secured to said torso-encircling assembly; said rearwardly disposed restricting assembly being fabricated of woven distensible material having a primary vertical stretch characteristic.

9. A foundation garment as defined in claim 6, wherein said restricting assemblies are disposed in underlying relationship with respect to said torso-encircling assembly, and are adapted to be disposed in over-lying relationship with respect to the torso of a wearers body.

10. A foundation garment as defined in claim 6, Wherein said restricting assemblies are secured to said torsoencircling assembly with non-distensible thread.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Kurzman 128-5 Laguzzi 128-5 Lewis et al 1285 Schonberg 128-5 Laguzzi 1285 U.S. Cl. X.R. 

